BEIJING, Jan 20 (APP): Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday said that Pakistan and China have agreed to establish a formal working relationship to further strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Talking to APP after separate meetings with Chairman of China\u2019s National People\u2019s Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji and Chairman of the Chinese People\u2019s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Wang Huning in Beijing, he described the discussions as highly productive.<\/p>\n
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said both sides agreed to cooperate closely and are working towards formal agreements to institutionalize parliamentary collaboration. \u201cWe are proposing some agreements which we will draft and share with the Chinese side, and they have shown strong interest in adopting them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He explained that the proposed agreements will focus on learning from each other\u2019s parliamentary practices, enhancing collaboration at international parliamentary forums, and developing mechanisms for sustained engagement between the two legislatures.<\/p>\n
The Speaker said discussions also covered the training of Pakistani political workers at the Communist Party of China\u2019s Party School, exchange visits of parliamentarians, virtual meetings between parliamentary committees, parliamentary functioning, and the sharing of best practices.<\/p>\n
He noted that this would be the first time in Pakistan\u2019s history that the two parliaments establish a formal working relationship through a written understanding, rather than limiting engagement to occasional visits. He added that parliamentary committees\u2014particularly those dealing with industry, agriculture, and mining\u2014can hold joint sessions to explore Pakistan\u2019s economic potential.<\/p>\n
The two sides also discussed cooperation in areas such as exports, mineral and mining resources, and agriculture. The Chinese leadership, he said, expressed strong interest in expanding collaboration in these sectors.<\/p>\n
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that regular virtual meetings between standing committees\u2014including agriculture, defence, petroleum, and mines and minerals\u2014would help guide both governments in advancing bilateral cooperation. \u201cThe more interaction there is between committees, the better we can support our governments in moving forward together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Responding to a question on CPEC 2.0, the Speaker said the issue was also discussed, acknowledging that progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor had slowed between 2018 and 2022. \u201cWe reassured the Chinese side that CPEC 2.0 will move forward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that Pakistan would continue to work within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and both countries would pursue collaboration wherever it aligns with the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the shared interests of the two governments.<\/p>\n
The Speaker National Assembly is leading a parliamentary delegation for a three-day official visit to China at the special invitation of Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People\u2019s Congress (NPC) of China.<\/p>\n
APP\/asg<\/p>\n